WO2019234965A1

WO2019234965A1 - Inkjet recording device

Info

Publication number: WO2019234965A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/002205
Authority: WO
Inventors: 翔貴山口; 崇博有馬; 翔溝口; 岡野　守; 宮尾　明
Original assignee: 株式会社日立産機システム
Priority date: 2018-06-06
Filing date: 2019-01-24
Publication date: 2019-12-12
Also published as: EP3804995A1; CN111601719A; EP4241999A2; JP2022132443A; CN111601719B; JP2023184704A; US20230364913A1; CN115782405A; JP2023184705A; JP7146912B2; EP3804995B1; EP3804995A4; JP7384969B2; EP4241999A3; US20210229446A1; JPWO2019234965A1

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device having a print head cleaning function that avoids spilling of cleaning liquid around the inkjet recording device and stores cleaning liquid used for cleaning in a container having high hermeticity. In order to accomplish this purpose, the present invention is provided with: a body that has an ink container for storing ink used to print on a print object and a cleaning liquid container for storing a cleaning liquid; and a print head that has a nozzle which is connected to the ink container and through which the ink is discharged under pressure, a charged electrode which electrically charges ink particles used for printing, a deflection electrode which deflects the ink particles charged by the charge electrode, and a gutter in which ink particles unused for printing are collected. The inkjet recording device is provided with a head cleaning unit having: a cleaning nozzle through which the cleaning liquid is discharged; and an insertion port into which the print head can be inserted.

Description

Inkjet recording device

The present invention relates to a head cleaning function of an ink jet recording apparatus.

As background art in this technical field, there is JP-A-2015-136934 (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, as a head cleaning method of an ink jet recording apparatus, cleaning is performed by ejecting a cleaning liquid from a cleaning nozzle inside a head toward a nozzle discharge port. And the point which eliminates the cause of nozzle clogging by performing a drying process is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-136934

In the method of Patent Document 1, when the cleaning liquid is ejected from the cleaning nozzle inside the head toward the nozzle discharge port, the cleaning liquid may flow out of the head.

Inkjet recording devices are often used in production lines where hygiene management is important, such as food, drinking water, chemicals, and cosmetics. Therefore, it is required that the cleaning liquid and ink do not flow out into the interior of the ink jet recording apparatus, peripheral equipment, floors, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus having a print head cleaning function for avoiding the outflow of cleaning liquid around the ink jet recording apparatus and storing the cleaning liquid used for cleaning in a highly airtight container. That is.

In view of the above-mentioned background art, the present invention is, as an example, a main body having an ink container for storing ink for printing on a printing object and a cleaning liquid container for storing a cleaning liquid, and the ink container. A nozzle that discharges the connected and pressurized ink, a charging electrode that charges ink particles used for printing, a deflection electrode that deflects ink particles charged by the charging electrode, and ink particles that are not used for printing are collected. An ink jet recording apparatus including a print head having a gutter for performing cleaning includes a head cleaning unit having a cleaning nozzle for discharging a cleaning liquid and an insertion port into which the print head can be inserted.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a head cleaning unit for a print head that can prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing around the ink jet recording apparatus and eliminate the cause of nozzle clogging.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a usage state of an ink jet recording apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a path configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a head cleaning unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a head cleaning unit in which a print head in Example 1 is inserted. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection state between a head cleaning unit and a waste liquid container in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a waste liquid container is removed from the head cleaning unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the head cleaning unit according to the first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the principle of operation of an inkjet recording device. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a head cleaning unit in Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a head cleaning unit in Embodiment 3. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of an ink jet recording apparatus 400 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1 is an ink jet recording apparatus main body, 2 is a print head, 3 is an operation display unit, 4 is a conduit (print head), 5 is a conduit (head cleaning unit), and 300 is a head cleaning unit (external unit). . The ink jet recording apparatus 400 includes an operation display unit 3 in the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1, and includes a print head 2 and a head cleaning unit 300 outside. The ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 and the print head 2 are connected by a conduit 4 of about 3000 mm. The ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 and the head cleaning unit 300 are connected by a conduit 5 of about 3500 mm.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a print object on which numbers and characters are printed, 15 denotes a belt conveyor that conveys the

print object

13, 16 denotes a rotary encoder that measures the conveyance distance of the

belt conveyor

15, 17 denotes a print sensor, and 18 denotes a print head. A stand 19 for fixing the print head 2 in an arbitrary posture, and a fixing jig 19 for fixing the print head 2 to the stand 18.

The ink jet recording apparatus 400 is installed, for example, in a production line in a factory where food and beverages are produced, the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 is installed at a position where the user can operate, and the print head 2 is a belt conveyor 15 or the like. It is installed at a position where it can approach the print target 13 fed on the production line. At this time, the fixing jig 19 may be fixed to the mounting stand 18 on the print head 2. In order to print on the production line such as the belt conveyor 15 with the same width regardless of the feeding speed, the encoder 16 that outputs a signal corresponding to the feeding speed to the ink jet recording apparatus 400 and the printing object 13 are detected. A print sensor 17 that outputs a signal for instructing printing to the inkjet recording apparatus 400 is installed, and each is connected to a control unit (not shown) in the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1. In accordance with signals from the encoder 16 and the print sensor 17, the control unit controls the charge amount and charging timing of the ink particles ejected from the nozzle, and charging and deflection are performed while the print target 13 passes near the print head 2. Printing is performed by attaching the ink particles thus adhered to the printing object 13.

The head cleaning unit 300 is installed near the print head 2. At this time, the conduit 5 is longer than the conduit 4 in order to provide freedom of installation of the head cleaning unit 300. The print head 2 is installed in the head cleaning unit 300 when the print head is cleaned and dried. Then, air and a solvent (hereinafter also referred to as a cleaning liquid) sent from the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1 to the head cleaning unit 300 through the conduit 5 are ejected from nozzles in the head cleaning unit, so that the print head 2 is cleaned and dried. It has become.

Next, the operation principle of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, 20 is a main ink container, 7A is ink, 24 is a pump for supplying and supplying ink (for supply), 9 is an electrostrictive element that vibrates at a predetermined frequency when a voltage is applied, and 8 discharges ink. The nozzle 7B is an ink column. 10 is a charging electrode for charging ink particles, 7C is ink particles, 11 is a ground deflection electrode, 12 is a plus deflection electrode, 13 is a printing object to be printed, and 14 is a gutter for collecting ink particles that are not printed.

The ink 7A in the main ink container 20 is sucked and pressurized by a pump (for supply) 24 to become an ink column 7B and is discharged from the nozzle 8. The nozzle 8 is provided with an electrostrictive element 9, and the ink column 7B ejected from the nozzle 8 is made into particles by applying vibration to the ink at a predetermined frequency. The number of ink particles 7C thus generated is determined by the frequency of the excitation voltage applied to the electrostrictive element 9, and is the same as the frequency. The ink particles 7 C can be charged by applying a voltage having a magnitude corresponding to the print information at the charging electrode 10.

The ink particles 7 C charged by the charging electrode 10 fly in the electric field between the ground deflection electrode 11 and the plus deflection electrode 12. The deflection electric field is formed between the plus deflection electrode 12 to which a high voltage of 1 to 7 kV is applied and the installed ground deflection electrode 11, and the charged ink particles 7C have a force proportional to the charge amount. In response, it deflects and flies toward the printing object 13 to land.

At that time, the landing position of the ink particle 7C changes in the deflection direction according to the charge amount, and the production line moves the print target 13 in the direction orthogonal to the deflection direction, so that the ink particle 7C also moves in the direction orthogonal to the deflection direction. Particles can be landed, and a plurality of landed ink particles 7D constitute characters to perform printing. The ink particles 7C that have not been used for printing fly linearly between the plus deflection electrodes 12 and are captured by the gutter 14, and then sucked by the pump (for collection) 25 and collected in the main ink container 20.

Next, the ink supply path of the ink jet recording apparatus 400 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a path configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 2, the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 is provided with a main ink container 20 that holds the circulating ink 7A. The main ink container 20 holds the liquid in the main ink container 20 therein. A liquid level sensor 46 for detecting whether or not a reference liquid level that is an appropriate amount is reached is provided.

The main ink container 20 is connected to the viscosity measuring device 43 via the path 201 in order to grasp the viscosity of the ink 7A in the main ink container 20. The viscosity measuring device 43 is connected to an electromagnetic valve (for supply) 34 that opens and closes the path via a path 202, and the solenoid valve (for supply) 34 is used to suck and pump ink 7 A via the path 203. It is connected to a pump (for supply) 24 to be used. The pump (for supply) 24 is connected via a path 204 to a filter (for supply) 28 that removes foreign matters mixed in the ink 7A.

The filter (for supply) 28 is connected to a pressure regulating valve 33 that adjusts the pressure to an appropriate pressure for printing the ink 7A pumped from the pump (for supply) 24 via the path 205, and the pressure regulating valve 33 is connected to the path. A pressure sensor 31 that measures the pressure of the ink 7 A supplied to the nozzle 8 via 206 is provided. The pressure sensor 31 is connected to a switching valve 42 for controlling whether or not the ink 7A is supplied to the nozzle 8 via a path 207 passing through the conduit 4.

The switching valve 42 is connected via a path 209 to the nozzle 8 having a discharge port for discharging the ink 7A. The switching valve 42 is a three-way solenoid valve. An ink supply path 207 and a cleaning path 237 are connected to the switching valve 42, and the supply of ink and solvent to the nozzle 8 can be switched. In the straight direction of the discharge port of the nozzle 8, the charging electrode 10 for adding a predetermined amount of charge to the ink particles 7C, the deflection electrode 12 for deflecting the ink particles 7C used for printing, and not used for printing. Therefore, a gutter 14 for capturing ink particles 7C that fly straight without being charged or deflected is disposed.

Next, the ink collection path will be described. In FIG. 2, the gutter 14 is connected to a filter (for recovery) 30 that removes foreign matters mixed in the ink disposed in the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 via a path 212 passing through the conduit 4. The filter (for recovery) 29 is connected to an electromagnetic valve (for recovery) 35 that opens and closes the path via the path 213.

The electromagnetic valve (for recovery) 35 is connected to a pump (for recovery) 25 that sucks the ink particles 7C captured by the gutter 14 via a path 214. The pump (for collection) 25 is connected to the main ink container 20 via a path 215 and a path 216. The main ink container 20 is connected to the exhaust path 217, and the exhaust path 217 communicates with the outside of the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1.

Next, the ink supply path will be described. In FIG. 2, the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 is provided with an auxiliary ink container 21 that holds replenishing ink. The auxiliary ink container 21 is connected to an electromagnetic valve 36 that opens and closes a path via a path 221. Has been. The electromagnetic valve 36 is connected to a merging path 223 connected to the ink supply path 203 via a path 222.

Next, the ink circulation path will be described. In FIG. 2, the nozzle 8 provided in the print head 2 is provided in the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 through a path 225 passing through the conduit 4 in addition to the ink supply path 207, and opens and closes the flow path. It is connected to the solenoid valve 37 which performs. The electromagnetic valve 37 is connected to a pump (for circulation) 26 that sucks ink from the nozzles 8 through a path 226. The pump (for circulation) 26 is connected to a merging path 228 connected to an ink recovery path 215 via a path 227.

Next, the solvent supply route will be described. In FIG. 2, the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 is provided with a solvent container 22 that holds a solvent 6 for replenishing the solvent, and the solvent container 22 is used for sucking and feeding the solvent 6 through a path 231. Connected to a pump (for solvent) 27. The pump (for solvent) 27 is connected to an electromagnetic valve (for solvent supply) 38 to open and close the flow path via a path 232 and a branch path 235, and the solenoid valve (for solvent supply) 38 is connected to the path The main ink container 20 is connected via the H.233.

Next, the cleaning route will be described. In FIG. 2, the pump (for solvent) 27 is connected to a solenoid valve (for cleaning) 39 for opening and closing the flow path via a branch path 235 and a path 236 in the path 232. The electromagnetic valve (for cleaning) 39 is connected to a switching valve 42 for controlling whether or not to send a solvent for cleaning to the nozzle 8 via a path 237.

Next, the head cleaning unit path will be described. In FIG. 2, a path 236 is connected to a solenoid valve (for head cleaning unit) 40 to open and close the flow path via a branch path 238 and a path 239, and the solenoid valve (for head cleaning unit) 40 is connected to the path. A filter (for head cleaning unit) 30 that removes foreign matters mixed in the solvent disposed in the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1 is connected via 240. The filter (for head cleaning unit) 30 is connected to the cleaning nozzle 242 via a path 241, and the cleaning nozzle 242 includes cleaning

nozzle ports

242 A and 242 B that discharge the solvent 6. In addition, the number of the cleaning nozzle ports may be single or many.

Next, the drying route will be described. In FIG. 2, the path 243 is connected to an air compressor provided outside for supplying air. Alternatively, it is connected to a pump for supplying air provided inside the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1. The path 243 is connected to a solenoid valve (for air supply) 41 for opening and closing the path, and the solenoid valve (for air supply) 41 is connected to a drying nozzle (air nozzle) 245 via a path 244. The drying nozzle 245 includes a drying nozzle port 245A that discharges air. In addition, there may be a single or many drying nozzle ports.

Next, the waste liquid route will be described. In FIG. 2, the solvent 6 discharged from the cleaning nozzle ports 242A to 242B is supplied to the waste liquid container 23 in the head cleaning unit 300 via the container connecting portion 51.

Next, the exhaust path of the head cleaning unit 300 will be described. In FIG. 2, the path 246 configured to communicate with the head cleaning unit interior 59 is connected to the exhaust path 217 through the conduit 5 and the merging path 247 in the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1 of the inkjet recording apparatus 400.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the head cleaning unit 300 in this embodiment. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the head cleaning unit 300 in which the print head 2 is inserted in this embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the head cleaning unit main body 50 and the waste liquid container 23 provided in the head cleaning unit 300. FIG.

3 to 5A and 5B, 50 is a head cleaning unit body, 23 is a waste liquid container, 51 is a container connection part, 52 is an insertion port, 53 is a head cleaning unit lid part, 54 is a seal part, 55 is a solvent receiver, 56 is a connection path, 57 is a sensor (for a print head), 58 is a sensor (for a waste liquid container), and 60 is a sealing plug.

First, the usage state of the head cleaning unit 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5A and 5B. In FIG. 3, the head cleaning unit 300 includes an insertion port 52 into which the print head 2 can be inserted. The insertion port 52 does not mix the atmosphere inside the head cleaning unit 59 and the outside air when the print head 2 is not inserted. Thus, it is structured to be blocked by the head cleaning unit lid 53. That is, the head cleaning unit lid 53 is biased so as to close the insertion port 52 with a biasing member such as a torsion coil spring 61. Further, the solvent receiver 55 is structured such that the solvent 6 supplied to the inside 59 of the head cleaning unit is supplied to the connection path 56 passing through the container connection part 51, and the container connection part 51 is supplied to the connection path 56. The solvent 6 is detachably connected to the waste liquid container 23 so as to be supplied to the waste liquid container 23 in the head cleaning unit 300 without leaking to the outside. The head cleaning unit 300 also includes a sensor (for print head) 57 that is a head detection unit that can detect whether the print head 2 is attached to the head cleaning unit 300, and the waste liquid container 23 is attached to the head cleaning unit 300. A sensor (for waste liquid container) 58, which is a container detecting means capable of detecting whether or not it has been, is provided. The positions of the

sensors

57 and 58 are not limited to the illustrated positions, and may be arranged at positions where the print head 2 or the waste liquid container 23 can be detected. For example, the sensor (for waste liquid container) 58 may be disposed at the position of the connection path 56. Further, sensors provided in the print head 2 and the waste liquid container 23 may be used.

In FIG. 4, the head cleaning unit 300 in which the print head 2 is inserted is in close contact with the seal portion 54 and the print head 2 to prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing out from other than the connection path 56, and the atmosphere inside the head cleaning unit is outside air. And not to be mixed. The head cleaning unit lid 53 is an urging member so that when the print head 2 is removed from the insertion port 52, the insertion port 52 is blocked again so that the atmosphere inside the head cleaning unit 59 and the outside air are not mixed. The structure is energized. Further, the cleaning

nozzle ports

242A and 242B are provided in such positions and orientations that the solvent 6 can be brought into contact with the nozzle 8, the charging electrode 10, the ground deflection electrode 11, the plus deflection electrode 12, and the gutter 14 provided in the print head 2. It has been. Further, the drying nozzle port 245 A removes the solvent 6 attached to the nozzle 8, the charging electrode 10, the ground deflection electrode 11, the plus deflection electrode 12, and the gutter 14 provided in the print head 2 by the air supplied from the drying nozzle 245. It is provided in a position and orientation that can be dried.

The head cleaning unit 300 can supply the solvent 6 that has passed through the conduit (head cleaning unit) 5 from the cleaning

nozzle ports

242A and 242B to the inside 59 of the head cleaning unit, thereby cleaning the print head 2. The solvent 6 used for cleaning is supplied from the solvent receiver 55 to the waste liquid container 23 through the connection path 56. At this time, the solvent 6 discharged from the cleaning

nozzle ports

242A and 242B may be sucked from the nozzle 8 inside the print head 2 using the circulation path of the ink jet recording apparatus main body 1. Further, the head cleaning unit 300 can supply the air that has passed through the conduit (head cleaning unit) 5 from the drying nozzle port 245 A to the head cleaning unit interior 59, so that the print head 2 can be dried.

5A shows a cross-sectional view of the head cleaning unit 300 in which the container connecting portion 51 of the head cleaning unit main body 50 and the waste liquid container 23 are connected, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the waste liquid container 23 is removed from the container connecting portion 51. Sectional drawing of the head washing | cleaning unit 300 in is shown. In FIG. 5B, when the waste liquid container 23 includes the solvent 6, the waste liquid container 23 includes a sealing plug 60 that can be attached to and detached from the waste liquid container 23, thereby blocking the outside air and the atmosphere inside the waste liquid container 23. It is possible to prevent the solvent 6 from flowing out of the waste liquid container 23 to the outside.

FIG. 6 shows the operation flow of the head cleaning unit in this embodiment. In FIG. 6, first, in step 101, a state in which the start of the function of the head cleaning unit 300 is instructed from the operation display unit 3 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 400 is shown, and automatic cleaning is started.

Next, in step 102, the waste liquid container 23 is connected to the container connecting portion 51 provided in the head cleaning unit 300 by the sensor (for waste liquid container) provided in the head cleaning unit 300 and the sensor provided in the waste liquid container 23. Determine whether or not. If the waste liquid container 23 is not connected to the container connection part 51, the process proceeds to step 109, and if the waste liquid container 23 is connected to the container connection part 51, the process proceeds to step 103.

Next, in step 103, is the print head 2 inserted into the insertion port 52 provided in the head cleaning unit 300 by the sensor (for the print head) provided in the head cleaning unit 300 and the sensor provided in the print head 2. Judge whether. If the print head 2 is not inserted into the insertion port 52, the process proceeds to step 109, and if the print head 2 is inserted into the insertion port 52, the process proceeds to step 104.

In step 104, the solvent 6 and the path in the ink jet recording apparatus 400 are used to operate the solenoid valve and the pump to discharge the solvent 6 from the cleaning nozzle 242 to clean the print head 2. The solvent 6 used for cleaning is the waste liquid. A cleaning sequence to be supplied to the container 23 is executed.

Next, step 105 executes a drying sequence in which the solenoid valve and pump in the ink jet recording apparatus 400 are operated to discharge air from the drying nozzle 245 and the print head 2 is dried.

Next, in step 106, the operation of the electromagnetic valve and the pump in the ink jet recording apparatus 400 is stopped, and the automatic cleaning stop process is performed.

Step 107 is an end message display process for indicating to the operator that the steps 104 to 106 have been normally performed.

Finally, step 108 indicates a state in which the function of the head cleaning unit 300 has been completed normally, and the automatic cleaning ends.

Step 109 indicates a state where it is determined in steps 102 and 103 that the function of the head cleaning unit 300 cannot be normally used, and automatic cleaning is interrupted.

Step 110 is processing for indicating to the operator that the state is in step 109. For example, a message such as “The print head is not set in the cleaning unit” or “The waste liquid container is not set” is displayed. Is output. Step 111 shows a state where the processing of steps 109 to 110 is performed and stopped.

In step 104 and step 105, the operator may be able to select a sequence of a type in which the operations of the solenoid valve and the pump are different.

As described above, in this embodiment, the head cleaning unit having the insertion port into which the print head of the ink jet recording apparatus can be inserted, the path for supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid container of the ink jet recording apparatus to the head cleaning unit, A nozzle for supplying the cleaning liquid to the inside and a container for collecting the cleaning liquid without flowing out of the cleaning liquid around the apparatus are provided.

Thus, the cause of nozzle clogging can be removed by inserting the print head 2 into the head cleaning unit 300 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 400, cleaning it with a solvent inside, and drying it. Further, it is possible to avoid the solvent from flowing out to the periphery of the apparatus by the seal portion 54 and the sealing plug 60. Furthermore, since the waste liquid container 23 whose inside is blocked from the outside air by the sealing plug 60 can be detached from the head cleaning unit 300 and can be moved to another place, the operator should perform the waste liquid treatment procedure according to the operator's equipment. Can do.

In the above description, the head cleaning unit 300 is described as including the head cleaning unit main body 50 and the waste liquid container 23. However, the waste liquid container 23 is provided separately from the head cleaning unit 300 as an external head cleaning unit 300. Also good. The head cleaning unit 300 may include an adapter that is attached to the inkjet recording apparatus 400 or other equipment.

In the above description, the head cleaning unit 300 has been described as having a cleaning nozzle and a drying nozzle. However, separate units for the cleaning nozzle and the drying nozzle may be used.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the head cleaning unit in this embodiment. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 5A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. 8 is different from FIG. 5A in that a waste liquid tank 74 connected to the waste liquid container 23 is provided.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the waste liquid container 23 connected to the head cleaning unit 300 and the waste liquid tank 74 in a state connected to the waste liquid container 23. In FIG. 8, 71 and 72 are paths (for waste liquid), 73 is a path opening / closing cock, 74 is a waste liquid tank, and 81 is waste liquid.

The head cleaning unit 300 includes the waste liquid container 23 connected to the waste liquid tank 74 via the paths 71 and 72 in a state where it can be detached from the container connecting portion 51. In other words, the waste liquid container 23 includes a pipe that can discharge the internal waste liquid to the outside. The path 71 is connected to the waste liquid container 23, and the path 72 is connected to the waste liquid tank 74 in a removable state.

The head cleaning unit 300 can supply the solvent 6 in the waste liquid container 23 to the waste liquid tank 74 through the path 71 and the path 72 by a free fall movement by opening the path opening / closing cock 73.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the head cleaning unit 300 provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 400 can discard the solvent 6 in the waste liquid container 23 without removing the waste liquid container 23 from the container connection portion 51. Further, since the path 71 can be detached from the waste liquid container 23, the waste liquid container 23 can be removed from the container connection portion 51 as described in the first embodiment, and the disposal process can be performed. Therefore, the worker can perform the waste liquid treatment procedure according to the worker's equipment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the head cleaning unit in this embodiment. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. 9 is different from FIG. 4 in that it has a configuration that can be connected to the external exhaust device 93.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the head cleaning unit 300 that can be connected to the external exhaust device 93. In FIG. 9, 91 is an exhaust port, 92 is a conduit (exhaust), and 93 is an external exhaust device. The head cleaning unit 300 has an exhaust port 91, and the exhaust port 91 can communicate the atmosphere inside the head cleaning unit 59 and the external exhaust device 93 via a conduit 92.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the head cleaning unit 300 provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 400 discharges the atmosphere inside the head cleaning unit 59 to the outside from a path other than the exhaust path 217 of the inkjet recording apparatus main body 1. Can do. Therefore, the worker can perform an exhaust process in accordance with the worker's equipment.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, Various modifications are included. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of a certain embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of a certain embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

1: ink jet recording apparatus main body, 2: print head, 5: conduit (head washing unit), 6: solvent, 8: nozzle, 14: gutter, 20: main ink container, 21: auxiliary ink container, 22: solvent container, 23: Waste liquid container, 30: Filter (for head cleaning unit), 38: Electromagnetic valve (for solvent replenishment), 39: Electromagnetic valve (for cleaning), 40: Electromagnetic valve (for head cleaning unit), 41: Electromagnetic valve ( 50: head cleaning unit main body, 51: container connection part, 52: insertion port, 53: head cleaning unit lid part, 54: seal part, 55: solvent receiver, 56: connection path, 57: sensor ( 58: sensor (for waste liquid container), 59: inside of head cleaning unit, 60: sealing plug, 61: torsion coil spring, 71, 72: path (for waste liquid), 73: path opening / closing cock, 4: Waste liquid tank, 81: Waste liquid, 91: Exhaust port, 92: Conduit (exhaust), 93: External exhaust device, 236 to 237: Path (for cleaning), 239 to 241: Path (for head cleaning unit), 242 : Cleaning nozzle, 242A-B: Cleaning nozzle port, 243-244: Route (for air supply) 245: Drying nozzle, 245A: Drying nozzle port, 246: Route (for exhaust), 300: Head cleaning unit, 400: Inkjet Recording device

Claims

Used for printing, an ink container for storing ink for printing on a printing object, a main body having a cleaning liquid container for storing a cleaning liquid, a nozzle connected to the ink container and ejected under pressure. In an inkjet recording apparatus, comprising: a charging electrode for charging the ink particles to be charged; a deflection electrode for deflecting the ink particles charged by the charging electrode; and a print head having a gutter for collecting ink particles not used for printing.
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a head cleaning unit having a cleaning nozzle for discharging the cleaning liquid and an insertion port into which the print head can be inserted.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1,
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the main body and the head cleaning unit are provided separately.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the head cleaning unit is connected to the main body by a conduit.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the cleaning liquid container is connected to the cleaning nozzle through a cleaning path.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head cleaning unit includes a container connecting portion that enables connection of a waste liquid container that stores the cleaning liquid used for cleaning.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head cleaning unit is provided with head detecting means for detecting whether or not the print head is inserted into the insertion port.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5,
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head cleaning unit includes container detection means for detecting whether or not the waste liquid container is connected to the container connecting portion.
The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion port includes a seal portion that blocks an atmosphere inside the head cleaning unit and an outside air.
The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The head cleaning unit has an air nozzle through which air is discharged.
Used for printing, an ink container for storing ink for printing on a printing object, a main body having a cleaning liquid container for storing a cleaning liquid, a nozzle connected to the ink container and ejected under pressure. In an inkjet recording apparatus, comprising: a charging electrode for charging the ink particles to be charged; a deflection electrode for deflecting the ink particles charged by the charging electrode; and a print head having a gutter for collecting ink particles not used for printing.
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an external unit having an air nozzle through which air is discharged and an insertion port into which the print head can be inserted.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 10,
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the main body and the external unit are provided separately.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the external unit is connected to the main body by a conduit.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the air nozzle is connected to an air pump for sending air.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the air nozzle is connected to a path connectable to an external air compressor for sending air.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 12,
The body is connected to the print head by a head conduit;
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the conduit is longer than the head conduit.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5,
The ink-jet recording apparatus, wherein the waste liquid container includes a pipe capable of discharging an internal waste liquid to the outside.